Messages - woeisme

Hi, I am currently a Junior at Duke University with a GPA of 3.55/4 and an LSAT of 175. A year ago, I was charged with two counts of posession of paraphernalia (for pot). This has since been expunged from my record and I have heard conflicting stories as to whether or not I should report this on applications. If I did, would I have any chance at a T14? I can obviously describe what I learned from the incident but it was only a year ago. Specifically, I am interested in Columbia, Georgetown, Michigan, Virginia, Penn, NYU, and Northwestern. Do I have a chance even if I report this infraction? Any feedback would be much appreciated. Thanks!

A few weeks ago I had an open container on the balcony of my on campus apartment. It's a wet campus but there are rules about having open containers outside. I had to pay a $100 fine, do some community service, and write an apology letter (apparently I wasn't kind to the resident assistant who wrote me up). I know that I need to disclose this to American and Ole Miss because those are the two schools to which I've narrowed it down...how do I go about it though? Anyone had this happen to them?

Schools generally won't care about something like this. Just contact the dean (or whoever accepted you) requesting to amend your application and update them with the pertinent details.

Where's the best place for 1Ls to live other than Hughes? Collegetown apartments? I'm looking for a decent place that doesn't require walking up a hill in the snow to get to class...

Collegetown is better than Hughes, but at the bottom of the hill in/around the Commons is best. There are a lot of bus stops, so you don't have to walk up the hill, rents are lower, apartments are nicer, and all the best bars in town are down in the Commons. Plus, for 1L year Cornell pays for you to have free bus service.

I think people living in Hughes are out of their minds. Being able to get to school without ever going outside sounds nice but it is a recipe for complete stress overload.

Don't get me wrong, I agree. But I think that it works really well for some people. Actually, some people love Hughes.

well, im a few years out of undergrad but not in the 30s/40s group, interested in international law and have been working internationally for a couple years, ive been to NU and know chicago really well, but never to Michigan or Duke. i really like the idea of smaller classes, value a sense of community, and think living in close proximity to other law students would be ideal...but I also love living in a big city...

Okay, this screams Cornell ... except for the last big city part. But anyway, out of the three you named ...

International Law -> I don't think any of the three are particularly better placed for this.Smaller Classes -> DukeSense of Community -> DukeProximity to other students -> Michigan, maybe? I have no idea.Big city -> NU

Yeah, I can see how it's a toss-up. Where do you ultimately want to practice? If east coast, I'm thinking Duke for you. Maybe Michigan for west coast. Either for the midwest, really. NU is probably better for Chicago. You really should visit these three and get a feel for them. Are they the only ones you're still considering?

The facilities were great. Everything seemed in great shape, and it was a beautiful law school. There were plenty of places to study, and there was even a squash court in the law school (weird, I know..).

I attended a civ pro class taught by Prof. Clermont. He's apparently a star prof (he coauthored the casebook they use), and he definitely lived up to his reputation. He made it interesting, covered points well, and even cracked a few jokes. The class seemed to follow along well, and everyone seemed like they were happy to be at Cornell.

You should definitely go to an ASD. There were quite a few people there who were fairly undecided until they went to the ASD. The school will really leave a good impression. Everyone from the faculty, to the administration, to the students seemed very happy to be a part of Cornell law, and there was a very strong feeling of community at the school.

Check it out.

This kid tells it like it is.

Love,

a Cornell 1L (who conveniently sat in front of comotellamas in that civpro class)

To woeisme: thanks for your offer. I live in MD and would like to practice law in DC after graduation. Do you know how well Cornell places there? I know they have smaller numbers because of fewer students, but I was wondering what their reputation among DC firms are like.

Also, do you live in Hughes? I'm trying to decide whether I want to apply for housing there.

Practicing law in DC is very doable. From what I understand it's among the most popular destinations for Cornell grads. Everyone I know here who has wanted to work in DC has gotten offers they're happy with in DC. These include people who are both towards the top and bottom of their class. So, to me that'd indicate that Cornell does place well there. I really don't know how it ranks in comparison to other schools, but regardless... I don't think you need to worry about getting a job in DC from here.

I do not live in Hughes - I just couldn't stomach the idea of dorm life again. I have friends that live there - most like it a lot. It's just absurdly convenient. I'd recommend looking at it when you visit and then deciding - it's not for everyone, but if you're down with that type of living arrangement, I think it makes a LOT of sense.